Understanding Health Insurance

What is Health Insurance?

Health insurance is a good way to help you manage your health care costs. You pay health care companies premiums – a set amount of money each month - and you get benefits to pay for your eligible health care expenses. This can include regular doctor checkups or injuries to treatment for long-term illnesses.

You can purchase individual health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace on your own. Even though it’s called individual health insurance, you can also find plans to cover your family. Because health care can be expensive, it’s a smart idea to have health insurance so you’re prepared for when you or your family have medical needs.

Why should I have individual health insurance?

Prepare for the unexpected. You never know when you’ll need medical help.

It’s the law. Under the Affordable Care Act, you may pay a penalty if you don’t have qualified health care coverage.

Health Care 101

We know health care can be confusing. The new Health Care 101 video explains the basics of how health plans work. Understand the difference between deductible and coinsurance along with your options for where to go for care. It’s health care made simple.

How to choose an insurance plan

No individual applying for health coverage through the individual Marketplace will be discouraged from applying for benefits, turned down for coverage or charged more premium because of health status, medical condition, mental illness claims experience, medical history, genetic information or health disability. In addition, no individual will be denied coverage based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, political affiliation or source of income.

References to UnitedHealthcare pertain to each individual company or other UnitedHealthcare affiliated companies.

Each company is a separate entity and is not responsible for another's financial or contractual obligations.

Administrative services are provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.